Syracuse women’s basketball forces 29 turnovers in season opener at JMA Wireless Dome
Syracuse women’s basketball opened the season with a 75-48 win over Sacred Heart, forcing 29 turnovers and posting 23 steals at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange’s defensive intensity is setting a tone for CNY sports fans this fall.
Célaine Ricco wasted no time making her mark for Syracuse women’s basketball. The freshman guard led the Orange with seven steals in her first college game, five of them coming in a furious six-possession stretch during the opening quarter at the JMA Wireless Dome. Ricco’s quick hands and anticipation set the tone for a defense that forced Sacred Heart into 29 turnovers, the most by a Syracuse team since 2021, according to the Daily Orange.
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Uche Izoje, a returning forward, anchored the offense with 16 points, but she also contributed to the defensive effort that kept Sacred Heart off balance. Emely Rodriguez, a transfer from Iowa, chipped in 13 points and helped push the tempo after turnovers. The Orange turned defense into offense, racking up 33 points off turnovers and finishing with a 75-48 win to open their 20th straight season with a victory.
Fans in the Dome saw the Orange swarm passing lanes and pressure ball handlers from the opening tip. Syracuse’s 23 steals as a team were the most in a single game over the past few years, and the defensive intensity drew cheers from the crowd, which included students and families from neighborhoods like Eastwood and Tipp Hill, as well as fans who made the drive in from DeWitt and Salina.
By The Numbers
- 29 turnovers: Forced by Syracuse against Sacred Heart, per the Daily Orange
- 23 steals: Recorded by the Orange in the season opener, according to the Daily Orange
- 75-48: Final score of Syracuse’s win over Sacred Heart, per the Daily Orange
- 16 points: Scored by Uche Izoje to lead the Orange, according to the Daily Orange
- 13 points: Added by Emely Rodriguez, per the Daily Orange
- 5-of-25: Syracuse’s 3-point shooting in the opener (20%), according to the Daily Orange
- 20th straight season: Syracuse women’s basketball has started 1-0, per the Daily Orange
- 12 p.m. Sunday: Scheduled tipoff for Syracuse vs. Cornell at the JMA Wireless Dome, according to the Daily Orange
- 1-0: Syracuse’s record after the opener, per the Daily Orange
- 4: Syracuse players scored in double figures in the opener, according to the Daily Orange
- 7 steals: By Ricco, leading the team, per the Daily Orange
- 33 points: Syracuse scored off turnovers against Sacred Heart, according to the Daily Orange
What changed for Syracuse basketball this season?
Syracuse’s opener showed a clear shift toward aggressive, pressure defense. Ricco’s seven steals, including five in the first quarter, gave the Orange a jolt of energy and set a new standard for the team’s backcourt. The Orange pressed full court, trapped ball handlers, and forced Sacred Heart into rushed decisions, leading to easy baskets on the other end.
Returning players like Izoje provided stability, but the addition of Rodriguez from Iowa added another dimension to the offense. Rodriguez’s ability to push the ball after turnovers helped Syracuse capitalize on Sacred Heart’s mistakes. The Orange finished with 33 points off turnovers, a number that reflects their commitment to turning defense into offense.
Four Syracuse players scored in double figures, showing balance on offense even as the team struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 5-of-25 three-point attempts. The Orange compensated for cold shooting by attacking the rim and getting out in transition after steals. The defensive focus is energizing fans in Syracuse and across Central New York, especially as the team looks to build on last season’s progress.
Why does this matter for Central New York?
Basketball holds a special place in Syracuse, especially as the weather turns cold and fans head indoors. The JMA Wireless Dome, sitting near I-81 and East Adams Street, is a landmark for local sports. On game nights, traffic backs up on Irving Avenue and crowds spill out onto Crouse Drive, with fans from Eastwood, Tipp Hill, Strathmore, and even out in Manlius and Liverpool making their way downtown.
The Orange’s defensive style gives fans something to rally around. With SU football and basketball overlapping in November, the Dome becomes a gathering spot for Central New York sports fans. The energy in the building rises when the Orange force turnovers and get out on the break, and that excitement carries over to local bars and restaurants on Marshall Street and down on South Salina after the game.
Strong defense also gives Syracuse an edge in the ACC, where teams like Louisville and NC State have built reputations on pressure defense. If the Orange can maintain this intensity, they could climb the conference standings and draw even bigger crowds as the season goes on. The early returns have fans talking about a team that could make noise in March.
How does this compare to past seasons?
The 29 turnovers forced against Sacred Heart are the most for Syracuse since 2021, according to the Daily Orange. Last season, the Orange played solid defense but rarely generated this level of disruption. The 23 steals in the opener are a high-water mark for the program over the past few years, and the aggressive approach is a departure from the more conservative schemes of past seasons.
In their last meeting with Cornell on December 18, 2023, Syracuse had to rally from an eight-point halftime deficit to win 78-71. That game was defined by offensive firepower from Dyaisha Fair and Georgia Woolley, but this year’s team is showing a different identity. The focus on defense and forcing turnovers could help the Orange avoid slow starts and control games from the opening tip.
Historically, Syracuse women’s basketball has relied on a mix of zone and man-to-man defense, but the opener against Sacred Heart showed a willingness to press and trap all over the court. The Orange’s ability to adapt and play at a faster pace could be a key factor as they face tougher opponents later in the season.
What to watch for in the next game
Syracuse faces Cornell at 12 p.m. Sunday at the JMA Wireless Dome. Cornell comes in at 1-1, having lost to UConn 100-35 before bouncing back with a 106-37 win over SUNY Fredonia. The Big Red return 10 of 13 players from last season, accounting for 78% of their scoring, according to the Daily Orange.
Cornell struggled with turnovers in its opener, which could play into Syracuse’s hands. The Orange will look to apply the same defensive pressure that rattled Sacred Heart. If Ricco and her teammates can force the Big Red into mistakes, fans could see another high-turnover performance and more fast-break points at the Dome.
The matchup also gives Syracuse a chance to fine-tune its offense. The Orange shot just 20% from three-point range against Sacred Heart, so improving perimeter shooting will be a focus. With four players already scoring in double figures, the team has options, but knocking down open shots could make the difference as the schedule gets tougher.
Where to check for updates
For the latest on Syracuse women’s basketball, including game times and statistics, visit the official Syracuse University athletics website and follow coverage from the Daily Orange.
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Sources
- Daily Orange, Syracuse women’s basketball season opener recap and Cornell preview
